Great ideas for Mykonos and Santorini for the day???

[MindyM]

Does anyone have any great tours, excursions, or trips on their own they did for both islands? I am going in June with kids and grandparents and looking for something fun to do for all.

[cberge]

Does anyone have any great tours, excursions, or trips on their own they did for both islands? I am going in June with kids and grandparents and looking for something fun to do for all.

Read throught the pages on this board and you will find a LOT of info here as to what to do and see.You amy want to Google these places and see what ideas you mau want to persue as well.

[paul929207]

Mykonos - take a tour to Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

 

Santorini - Public bus to Oia

[iancal]

We get tired of the food on the ship...after a while it all tastes the same.

 

We have been to these islnds many times. Do yourself a favor and sample the local food whether it be a wrap or the full meal deal. Lots more flavor than anything from the ship on a piece of bread or bun.

 

If food safety is an issue then do not be concerned.

[4774Papa]

Santorini is very special. We stopped there in Julyl 2010. Our group of 13 persons discovered a few things. DW and I took a ship's tour of the island that included a winery. We saw most of the island. We tendered to athinos, which is south of the cable and donkey ride. Also, we were on the first tender.

 

The rest of the group did Santorini on their own and never got out of Fira. The line to use the bus was long, taxis were not available. We saw the island and they didn't.

Pay a little more and take a tour.

[TLCOhio]

Yes, as noted, there have been many earlier posts on these two great Greek Isle ports. Use the search function and you'll find lots and lots more ideas and suggestions.

 

Below are some of my suggestions and photo examples for what we loved and did in Mykonos. We did not use a ship tour. Did a nice "walk-around" in the Mykonos village with its charm and character in the am. Then did a rental car to explore more on the island, see various beaches, etc. Fortunately, we were there on a Sunday with only two smaller ship in port. Not a crowded mob from two or three mega ships flooding the island.

 

You can check out my earlier post on “Athens Tips, Suggestions, Examples to Enjoy!” for many details, ideas and interesting visuals on this great city. Lots of ideas here from me and others experienced with Athens. This posting has had over 6,500 views. Appreciate those who have dropped by, made comments, etc.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 113,965 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

Here’s a sampling of the narrow, flowered street in Mykonos in the Greek Isles with its many shops. The streets were made so narrow in order to fend off pirate attackers. It is an island with lots of history and legend dating back thousands of years, including connections to ancient Greek mythology. Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. As Delos developed as a sacred center, Mykonos was under the influences of the different people, including Phoenicians, Macedonians and Athenians. With the rise of Alexander the Great, the fate of Mykonos became a commercial center for agriculture and maritime trade. Mykonos flourished with enormous wealth during Roman occupation during the reign of Augustus Caesar. During the Middle Ages, Mykonos fell under the Venetians and later were victimized by the Saracens and latter the Turks. Starting in the 1950’s, its unique architecture, seclusion and hospitality have made it a haven for the rich and famous.:

 

 

 

This harbor view in Mykonos shows one of the charming windmills. From as early as the 16th century, these are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. The island is 33 square miles in size and has a population of 9,300, mostly in its main village.:

 

 

 

Ladies departing a church service in main Mykonos on a Sunday:

 

 

 

At the fish docks in Mykonos near many outdoor dining places that overlook the harbor.:

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the Mykonos village on the island, here's a sampling of the beachside activities. This includes Agrari, Elia and the long sweeping Kalafatis beach that has become famous to wind surfers. The second picture is from Elia Beach.:

 

 

 

[MindyM]

Would you recommend going to the beaches on these beautiful islands?

[TLCOhio]

Would you recommend going to the beaches on these beautiful islands?

 

Much depends on . . . how much you and your family like the "beach scene"? Some love it, others only rate it for their personal interests only good or OK. What other ports are you hitting on this cruise? We were there in mid June and as two of those pictures show, the beaches were not that super busy. Good or bad, June is still not the peak season there. Other questions?? Below are a few more beach and other Mykonos scenes/options.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 113,965 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

Here are some additional visual samples on the opposite side from the Mykonos village for various beachside activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Mykonos, here is a sampling of harbor, boats, blue and red church domes, etc., views. Lots of charm and character on this great Greek Island.:

 

 

 

 

 

Mykonos’ market and outside dining area overlooking the harbor:

 

[MindyM]

Thanks for the great info.

We are on the Equinox also leaving from Barcelona on June 10th. Sounds like a similar cruise. Barcelona, Naples, Mykonos, Santorini, and Malta. Any suggestions for these would be great.

Since we saw Athens, Rome, and Ephesus last year, we know where to go in those ports.

We cruise a lot and don't usually book the cruise tours, but instead do something on our own.

We got the best tour guide/driver from this site when we went to Athens.

[TLCOhio]

Thanks for the great info. We are on the Equinox also leaving from Barcelona on June 10th. Sounds like a similar cruise. Barcelona, Naples, Mykonos, Santorini, and Malta. Any suggestions for these would be great. Since we saw Athens, Rome, and Ephesus last year, we know where to go in those ports. We cruise a lot and don't usually book the cruise tours, but instead do something on our own. We got the best tour guide/driver from this site when we went to Athens.

 

Glad to know you are sailing out of Barcelona and are experienced sailing in Europe. Have you done Barcelona previously and got to really see and enjoy this charming, exciting and historic city? Is this your first time for Naples? Lots of great options there, including the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Capri, etc. Tell me more about your specific interests and I am happy to make added suggestions that would be helpful for these two areas.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 113,965 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[4774Papa]

Be sure that you go inside Sagrada Familia. There is usually a long line, but it moves slowly. Also, the City Museum near the Cathedral in the Bari Gothic area is a great one to see.

Check out some reviews on member reviews.

[winifred]

We were also a mixes age group on Jade last year and visited both these ports. Mykonos is just lovely for a wander around the town lots of lovely little shops and a good beach in the way into town for a swim . Santorini was quite different, we wanted to see Oia the blue roofed village, so we took the safest option and went by the ships tour , glad we did as it was quite a bit away from where we docked and we tendered up to it on a lovely boat and then the tour guide was very knowldegeable about the area so it was very interesting we then went back to Fira. My husband said he would have been happy just to go off the ship to Fira but I'm glad we saw Oia too. We are usually good at DIY but with elderly mums and teenagers it made sense that day to take ships tour.Daughter lived in Barcalona beautiful city but please keep close eye on your handbag, personal experience i'm afraid.

[MindyM]

Planning to take a tour to Pompeii for Naples. Not sure about Barcelona yet.

[kikki21]

I took the ship tour to Delos for the morning and then came back to Mykonos for lunch and walked round the small town. It was certainly very charming and quaint and I walked up to the windmills above the harbour for a good picture opportunity of the harbour and the Celebrity Galaxy.

 

Mykonos - take a tour to Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

 

I had been to Santorini previously so I took the bus to Oia first and then walked round Fira.

Santorini - Public bus to Oia

 

You can also check what other cruise ships are in port with you as an idea of how busy it might be!

[ROCruiser]

Definitely take the ferry to Delos when in Mykonos.

[OC SeaPA]

Planning to take a tour to Pompeii for Naples. Not sure about Barcelona yet.

We're on the same cruise. We love Barcelona- going in a few days early. Can help you there. See our Equinox thread for a Napales excursion I'm getting info on. Also looking to see if we should look for a guide in Santorini and Mykonos, or do it on our own. We do alot of cruising in Europe, but Greece are new ports for us. Does anyone know if there are wineries to visit that are easy to get to in these 2 ports?

[MindyM]

Is there a ferry to take at the port or do we book a tour?

[ROCruiser]

No need to join a tour, just take the ferry. There are only 3 ferries going there and 3 coming back.

[nzdisneymom]

How long of a walk is it to where the windmills are from the port area?

[Cornishpastyman1]

How long of a walk is it to where the windmills are from the port area?

Hi Cindy

No distance at all - this shows them

 

Have a great day, Tony

[D4]

How long of a walk is it to where the windmills are from the port area?

 

It's not too far unless someone has walking issues. DH couldn't walk well when we were there 3 years ago so he didn't see the windmills. He had a knee replaced 2 years ago and walks much better. He was able to walk to see the windmills 2 months ago, but he still didn't walk up the big hill to get closer to the windmills.

[nzdisneymom]

Hi Cindy

No distance at all - this shows them

 

Have a great day, Tony

 

Thank you and thanks D4 for your reply as well. The video was lovely and it was nice to see what's there.

[4774Papa]

Is there a ferry to take at the port or do we book a tour?

Celebrity has a nice tour of Delos for a great price.

 

Ancient Delos MK01

 

Mykonos, Greece

 

OVERVIEW: The importance of Greece's once religious center of the entire Aegean Sea is sure to form a lasting impression as you experience a guided walking tour of the ancient Delos. Arrive on this uninhabited island by boat to explore the significant archeological ruins and enjoy the unforgettable views of the Cyclades archipelago.HIGHLIGHTS: Visit Delos and the scenic Cyclades archipelago by boat and on a guided walking tour. See the Temple of Apollo and the dried lake with the palm tree among its most renowned sites.NOTES: Guests must be able to walk and stand for approximately 2 hours over varying terrain. No shops or stores are available on Delos Island.

69.00 USD

[Julessmiles]

Does anyone have any great tours, excursions, or trips on their own they did for both islands? I am going in June with kids and grandparents and looking for something fun to do for all.

 

We did a guided jeep trip around the island of Mykonos - it was booked via our ship, about 6 jeeps in total, we drove our own jeep with our 15 & 12 year old - had a great day out, lots of stops, off and on road driving and stopped at a beach at the end of the day - it was great fun & we got to see a lot. Can thoroughly recommend if you get to do that sort of trip